Game 5, Serie A
Sunday, October 17, 1948
Stadio Nazionale, Rome
Roma Lazio 1-1
Lazio second best for an hour but finish strongly and equalise seven minutes from time with Magrini
So far, in Serie A Lazio had played four matches and were struggling on 1 point. The Biancocelesti were winless, having lost 3 (Juventus 0-4 at home on debut, Padova 0-2 and Lucchese 1-2, both away) and drawn 1 (Inter 2-2 at home). The Biancocelesti were bottom with Bari and Pro Patria. The derby did not come at a good moment of form.
Roma had won 2 (Bologna 2-1 away on debut and Triestina 4-2 at home a week later) and lost 2 (Torino 0-4 away and Milan 1-2 at home). Roma therefore had 4 points and were in mid-table.
Roma were slight favourites but the fact the Giallorossi had lost their last two games gave Lazio hope. It was also a derby so anything could happen.
The match
A showery day in the capital for the "Stracittadina" and the field was a bit slippery. A crowd of 30,000 turned up for the 35th Roman derby.
Roma had more or less their full-strength squad to choose from.
Lazio were without defender Leandro Remondini, midfielder Enrique Flamini and forwards Costantino De Andreis and Ferenc Nyers. The Biancocelesti played Nibbio Bacci up front beside striker Romano Penzo.
The first half saw the Giallorossi on the front foot. The Lupa controlled the midfield and attacked more but despite all their possession and pressure they rarely threatened Marco Brandolin.
Until the 41st minute that is. Gianfranco Dell'Innocenti put a free kick into the box and Omero Losi out jumped the defence, including a hesitant Brandolin, and headed Roma into the lead. Roma 1 Lazio 0. A deserved lead so far for the Giallorossi.
In the second half Roma continued to be superior, at least in the first twenty minutes. They however failed to get a second goal and then the game changed.
Roma began to tire with the so far dominant José Valle fading. Lazio saw their chance and started to attack relentlessly. Paolo Todeschini, Romolo Alzani and Salvador Gualtieri all set up good chances but the forwards were imprecise with their finishing.
Lazio were constantly in Roma's half and their pressure eventually paid off. In the 83rd minute Alzani burst down the wing and crossed, the Roma keeper Franco Risorti tried to punch it clear but missed, leaving Mario Magrini with an easy header to equalise. Roma 1 Lazio 1.
Both sides then seemed to settle for a draw and that's how it ended. Roma 1 Lazio 1.
A fair result in the end. Roma had been on top for an hour but then Lazio had finished strongly and could have scored more than one goal.
In Rome derbies then and now, almost eighty years later, the prerogative is whatever you do, DO NOT LOSE.
Roma were now joint 9th with Sampdoria, Fiorentina and Novara on 5 points while Lazio moved off the bottom and were joint 18th on 2 points with Modena.
Who played for Roma
Risorti, Contin, Andreoli, Dell'Innocenti, Valle, Ferri, Losi, Maestrelli, Tontodonati, Venturi, Pesaola
Manager: Brunella
Who played for Lazio
Brandolin, Antonazzi, Piacentini, Gualtieri, Todeschini, Alzani, Puccinelli, Magrini, Penzo I, Tavellin, Bacci
Manager: Tognotti
Referee: Camiolo
Goals: 41' Losi, 83' Magrini
Sources
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